Microarray Carrier Tabs for Centered Patch Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microarray patches often adhere unevenly to the support surfaces of the microarray carrier, leading to uneven application and drug delivery due to improper placement, particularly when the patch is not centered.
Innovation Solution
A microarray carrier with a body defining a cavity and a plurality of tabs that have inclined support surfaces, providing a defined contact area and adhesion to ensure even release and uniform application of the patch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microarray patch is placed on the support surfaces of the microarray carrier, then the patch can be supported and held, but the patch adheres unevenly and may be off-centered resulting in uneven application
Solution Approach 1:
The support surfaces are designed with inclined orientations relative to the horizontal plane, creating different local contact conditions across the patch surface. This local variation in surface orientation ensures uniform adhesion distribution and centered positioning of the patch on the carrier, resolving the contradiction between reliable patch holding and precise centering.
2Productivity
If the microarray applicator is designed to be reusable with multiple patches, then productivity increases, but the carrier design becomes more complex to ensure repeatable patch ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is segmented into multiple tabs, each with its own inclined support surface. This segmentation allows each tab to independently contact and support the patch, ensuring uniform adhesion and centered positioning. The segmented design enables repeatable patch ejection while maintaining relatively simple overall carrier structure, resolving the contradiction between reusability and design complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures centered and uniform detachment of the microarray patch, resulting in consistent drug delivery and improved usability by allowing the applicator to be reused with multiple patches.
Implementation Method 1
each of the tabs provides a defined contact area and adhesion between each of the plurality of tabs and a microarray patch
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A microarray carrier (200) for use with a microarray applicator (100) is provided. The microarray carrier (200) includes a body (202) defining a cavity (210). The microarray carrier (200) also includes a plurality of tabs (220, 222, 224, 226) disposed on the body (202) and extending into the cavity (210). Each of the plurality of tabs (220, 222, 224, 226) defines a contour line along a length thereof extending from a proximal end of the tab adjacent the body to a support surface (228, 230, 232, 234) spaced apart from the body. The support surface (228, 230, 232, 234) is inclined with respect to the contour line where the contour line intersects the support surface (228, 230, 232, 234). A projected area of each of the plurality of tabs (220, 222, 224, 226) onto a horizontal plane (HP) of the cavity (210) is greater than an area of the support surface (228, 230, 232, 234). The support surface (228, 230, 232, 234) is aligned non-perpendicular to the horizontal plane (HP).